Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is the foundation of my practice, it helps clients by exploring their unconscious thoughts, emotions, and past experiences to gain insight into their current behaviors and patterns. Clients are able to uncover and process underlying conflicts and unresolved issues that may be contributing to their difficulties. This increased self-awareness can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationships, as well as the development of healthier coping mechanisms.

explore childhood issues understand defense mechanisms

Who we are in the present is shaped and impacted by our past experiences. Sometimes these impacts are more obvious and sometimes less so. As you see fit, we will explore these underlying mechanisms and bring them to the forefront. As we build insight and process your past and present experiences, you will begin to release the maladaptive influence of your past and embrace what feels right in the present.

I have had training in psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy and years of supervision with psychoanalytic practitioners. Most of my work is through this lens, to comprehensively get a picture of you, so I know what approaches to take in your treatment.

I was trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the University of Chicago. Psychodynamic therapy, combined with other approaches, such as energy therapy techniques can be very effective in treating a number of conditions. That said, I don't get stuck on one or two approaches. That would be like a medical doctor who only prescibes penicillin. A good therapist needs a lot of tools in his or her toolbox.

I was trained in psychodynamic practice as a student at LMU and intern at Airport Marina Counseling Service. I enjoy integrating the depth-oriented work of psychodynamic theory with art therapy, allowing the subconscious mind to come forward in each session. Through psychodynamic interventions, I can assist you to reveal deep-seated sources of anxiety, blocks around fulfilling your base needs and instincts, and issues with sexual drive. This work often results in a stronger sense of self.

I provide insight-oriented therapy which allows us to focus on unconscious processes as they are manifested in one's present behavior

Psychodynamic means I care about what happened in your past. With awareness of our past experiences, we can better understand and heal our current selves.

As a psychodynamic therapist, I specialize in uncovering and addressing the unconscious processes and unresolved conflicts that influence your behavior and emotions. My extensive training allows me to skillfully navigate techniques such as free association, dream analysis, and transference examination. This deep understanding enables me to help you gain insight into hidden aspects of your psyche, fostering self-awareness and emotional healing.

There is no resolution without understanding the "why" below the surface. This approach is part of a combination of therapeutic interventions that ensure that we examine the root of your systems to make a path forward. Our therapy sessions together will unearth and discuss deep seeded issues that may plague you daily. We can make a plan for improvement together and learn better techniques and ways of coping. Struggling for a long time doesn't mean that you can't find a way forward.

Becoming a parent can often cause us to analyze how we were parented. It can be helpful to explore our own childhood experiences to understand ourselves, why we react to our children in certain ways, and inform us about how we want to parent our own children.

I believe that life experiences and the meaning that we both consciously and unconsciously assign to them can be explored in therapy to help clients live a life that is intentional and grounded. This includes identification and exploration of attachment styles, childhood and adolescent experiences, dreams, fears, and hopes.

I have a PsyD in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy training was part of that degree

Graduating from a psychodynamic program at Northwestern University, I have learned the ins and outs of how to counsel from a psychodynamic perspective. I am well acquainted with all the aspects of identity and how these, along with unconscious desires, come together to form who we are and how we interact with the world around us. We will use this information, along with other tools and techniques, to move forward making the necessary changes to live the life you desire.